# NTSB ERA10LA373: Nadig Paul K Nadig, N579PN, Franklin, PA, July 24, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 2010, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, PA
- Coordinates: 41.377777, -79.860275 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3778&lon=-79.8603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: Rotech Flight Safety LTD., FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76744
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA373
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76744/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76744
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA373

## Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power due to the owner’s inadequate fuel system maintenance, which resulted in a collision with trees and subsequent impact with the ground.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not serviced/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Nadig Paul K NADIG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05616N5), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Nadig Paul K NADIG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=05616N5), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md)
- [Maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Nadig Paul K NADIG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md?model=05616N5), [All aircraft, 143 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Nadig Paul K NADIG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05616N5), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Nadig Paul K NADIG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05616N5), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Nadig Paul K NADIG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05616N5), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Witnesses observed the accident airplane in a left-hand traffic pattern over the airport performing takeoffs and landings. As the pilot was performing the third landing and takeoff, witnesses heard the engine surge before hearing the sound of an impact. The airplane collided with trees before impacting the ground about ¾ mile from the departure end of the runway. Postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of preimpact malfunction with the airframe or engine controls. The engine examination revealed a blocked carburetor jet and excessive contamination of foreign material in both carburetor float bowls, indicating poor carburetor and fuel system maintenance. Once the blockage was removed from the idle jet the engine started and ran normally. The owner recently purchased the experimental, amateur-built, airplane which had an engine that used automobile fuel.

## Factual narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 24, 2010, at 1120 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur built, Nadig, Avid Aircraft Aerobatic, N579PN, impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from the Venango Regional Airport (FKL), Franklin, Pennsylvania. The pilot/owner and pilot rated passenger were killed, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was operated by a private individual, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. A witness stated to the responding Federal Aviation Administrator (FAA) inspector that he observed the airplane conducted three touch and go landings from runway 21, in a left traffic pattern before the accident. Another witness stated that he heard the engine surging (revving up and down) and then the sound of impact behind his home. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot/owner, seated in the left seat, held a private pilot certificate, with a rating for airplane single engine land. The pilot’s last medical certificate was issued on October 27 of 2008; a third-class; with must wear lenses for distant and possess glasses for near vision limitations. He reported a total of 936 flight hours at that time. The pilot rated passenger, seated in the right seat, held a private pilot certificate, with ratings for airplane single engine land and instrument airplane. The pilot’s last medical certificate was issued on April 4 of 2007; a third-class; with must wear lenses for near and distant vision, and not valid for any class after limitations. He reported a total of 4,640 flight hours at that time. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The amateur built airplane, serial number 579, was issued an experimental airworthiness certificate on October 25, 1990. The airplane was powered by a Rotax, 582, auto fueled, liquid cooled, 65 horsepower rated engine. The airplane, and engine, last inspection was May 1, 2010 and had a total of 188 hours at that time. The pilot/owner purchased the airplane on May 7, 2010. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The FKL, July 24, 2010, 1115 automatic surface weather observation was: wind variable from 230 to 290 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, clouds broken from 1,700 to 12,000 feet above ground level, temperature 27 degrees Celsius ( C ), dew point temperature 23 degrees C and altimeter 30.04 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The FAA inspector stated that the accident site was about ¾ mile and east of the departure end of the runway in a wooded area behind a residence. The airplane impacted trees as it was flying east before descending, impacting the ground, and coming to rest flat. Flight control continuity was established and all flight control surfaces where located on the airplane. The tail section came to rest under the right wing and the cockpit area stayed intact. One of the 2 blades on the propeller was bent aft. Engine control lever continuity was established. The engine was rotatedand thumb compression was established. Evidence of fuel was observed in the airplane’s fuel system and at the accident site. The engine was retained for further examination. TEST AND RESEARCH The engine was examined and run at the Rotax facility in Canada with Transportation Safety Board of Canada oversight. The engine external examination revealed the intake manifolds were modified with non standard material. The spark plugs and ignition wires were of non standard components. The modified intake manifolds were made of different types of material, which were secured by adhesive tape. The carburetors were inspected, which deposits, of unknown substance, on the floats and at the bottom of the carburetor bowl were observed. The engine test run revealed a blocked idle jet in the one of the two carburetors preventing normal operation. The engine would run only momentarily by spraying raw fuel directly into the carburetors. Once the blockage was removed from the idle jet, the engine started and ran to normal limits without any further anomalies. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The forensic pathologist in Erie, Pennsylvania, conducted a postmortem examination on the pilot; cause of death was blunt force trauma. The FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) conducted toxicology testing on specimens from the pilot and passenger. No carbon, cyanide, and ethanol were detected; ranitidine was detected in the passenger.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N579PN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N579PN-2012-09-04), registration cancelled 2012-09-04, S/N 1, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NADIG PAUL K NADIG
- Registry model: [Nadig Paul K NADIG](https://openairdocs.org/model/nadig-paul-k-nadig) (registry code 05616N5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 579
- Airframe hours: 188
- Engines: BOMBARDIER ROTAX (ALL) 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2010
- Departed: FKL, Franklin, PA
- Destination: FKL, Franklin, PA
- Airport: FKL, Venango Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 936 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: FKL, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20100724047449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100724047449A), Jul 24, 2010: Nadig Paul NADIG, Sandy Creek Tow, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. On July 24, 2010 N579PN, a Nadig avid flyer (experimental) crashed near the intersection of the crosswind/downwind leg at venango regional airport. The…

## Docket (13 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 19, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76744. 10.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 9 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346161&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Reports from Federal Agencies: Federal Aviation Administration - Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 425 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346162&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%3A%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20-%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Reports from Parties to the Investigation: Excerpt From Rotech Flight Safty: Engine Examination. (item 3, .PDF, 921 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346163&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%3A%20Excerpt%20From%20Rotech%20Flight%20Safty%3A%20%20Engine%20Examination.-Master.PDF
- Excerpts From Airplane's Maintnenance Records (item 4, .PDF, 6.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346164&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20From%20Airplane%27s%20Maintnenance%20Records-Redacted.PDF
- Toxicological Report (item 5, .PDF, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346165&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 6, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346166&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF
- Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346353&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1) Aerial View of Wreckage in the Wooded Area. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 8, .PDF, 1 photo, 459 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346331&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201)%20Aerial%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20in%20the%20Wooded%20Area.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF
- Photo 2) View of Wreckage in the Wooded Area. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 9, .PDF, 1 photo, 387 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346332&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202)%20View%20of%20Wreckage%20in%20the%20Wooded%20Area.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF
- Photo 3) View of Broken Tree Branches Directly Over Wreckage. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 10, .PDF, 1 photo, 386 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203)%20View%20of%20Broken%20Tree%20Branches%20Directly%20Over%20Wreckage.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF
- Photo 4) Aft View of Wreckage. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 11, .PDF, 1 photo, 369 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346343&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204)%20Aft%20View%20of%20Wreckage.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF
- Photo 5) Left View of Wreckage. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 12, .PDF, 1 photo, 408 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346344&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205)%20Left%20View%20of%20Wreckage.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF
- Photo 6) Right Front View of Wreckage. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 13, .PDF, 1 photo, 396 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346346&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206)%20Right%20Front%20View%20of%20Wreckage.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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